Some shops shout their existence from the highest mountain tops, while others languish in obscurity. There is one more type, though- the under-the-radar. We’ve visited as many cigar shops as everyone, and yet, somehow we missed the Hollywood Smoke lounge. The name Hollywood Smoke was inspired by the idea that Hollywood celebrities are often associated with the finer things in life.
Located at 3110 Main Street, Santa Monica (near the corner of Main and Marine) for the last 15 years, Hollywood Smoke is as established as it gets. Photos of the owner, Greg Shabazian, with Schwarzenegger adorn the walls,
competing with the nude photography (it’s very artistic- seriously) for your attention. Several well laid out, comfortable seating areas make for easy conversation and the well-stocked humidor makes selecting your smoke an exercise in self-reflection… “what do I feel like smoking today?” The humidor is complemented by a wide selection of exquisite lighters, humidors and ther accessories.
Perhaps most importantly, the shop is located next door to a Starbucks for quick caffeine fixes and on a street packed with restaurants and shopping. Parking- usually a challenge in this neighborhood- is easily handled by the lot beneath the building.
Greg told us a story of people who lived in the lofts across the street from him for 10 years walking in looking perplexed, asking “are you new? Did you just open?” He’d been in the neighborhood longer than they had. And if I were a betting man, I’d say he’ll still be there after they’ve moved away.
greg is the man ted